Cymru Premier: Four things we’ve learnt from the opening ten games

We are now a third of the way through phase one of the Cymru Premier season, and already, the early picture at both ends of the table is beginning to take shape.

Ten of the 30 matches in the opening phase have been played, with The New Saints and Penybont setting the pace at the top, while the battle at the other end is already beginning to look particularly intriguing.

The revamped league format means there is plenty still to play for, with two teams guaranteed to be relegated and another facing a relegation play-off to decide the final place in the top flight.

But what have we learned from the opening 10 games?

The step up is proving difficult for the promoted sides

The jump into the Cymru Premier has already proved to be a major challenge for several of last season’s promoted teams.

Three of the four teams currently occupying the bottom four places were promoted last season, while Trefelin, Holywell Town and Ammanford are all still searching for their first league victories after 10 games.

It means the early signs suggest the fight for survival could be dominated by the sides who came up from the second tier.

The opening phase is still only a third complete, but the gulf in experience and resources between some of the established Cymru Premier clubs and the newly promoted sides is already becoming apparent. That makes the revamped relegation picture particularly significant.

With two automatic relegation places and a further relegation play-off spot, there is little margin for error for the teams struggling to adapt to life in the top flight.

But there is another side to the story: three of last season’s promoted clubs have shown that stepping up does not necessarily mean immediately fighting for survival.

Llandudno, Airbus and Cambrian showing promoted sides how it can be done

Llandudno, Airbus UK Broughton and Cambrian United have provided three different examples of how promoted clubs can make an impact in the Cymru Premier.

Llandudno and Airbus have both won five of their opening 10 matches, while Cambrian sit on the same number of points as Airbus but have lost fewer games, suffering just three defeats.

Those three losses have all come against sides currently competing in the upper reaches of the division, with Cambrian beaten by Caernarfon Town, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Barry Town United.

Their results against fellow promoted sides have been particularly important.

Cambrian have picked up victories over Trefelin and Holywell Town, while also earning points against established Cymru Premier opposition in draws with Cardiff Met and Penybont.

Much like Llandudno and Airbus, Cambrian have opted for continuity rather than wholesale change.

They have retained much of the talent which helped them earn promotion last season, while also adding younger players with experience of clubs including Newport County, Merthyr Town and Cardiff City.

And one of their biggest decisions was keeping hold of Liam Eason. Eason was Cambrian’s star player last season but had never previously played in the Cymru Premier. His first season at the top level has, however, seen him take to the division immediately.

The forward has scored seven goals in eight league appearances, putting him second in the Cymru Premier’s scoring charts after the opening 10 games.

For Llandudno, their impressive start has similarly been built around continuity. The club retained much of the squad which earned promotion last season, allowing the players to carry their understanding and momentum into the top flight.

They have also added experience, with Kai Edwards arriving as one of the most experienced players in the division. The defender has made more than 350 Cymru Premier appearances and brings a wealth of top-flight knowledge to a side that is still adapting to the demands of the league.

Llandudno have already picked up a notable victory over Haverfordwest County, while also holding free-scoring Caernarfon Town to a draw. Their other early test came against 18-time champions The New Saints, where they narrowly suffered defeat.

Airbus have followed a similar path. They opened their campaign with a victory over last season’s play-off runners-up Haverfordwest County and have won five of their first 10 games.

A major reason for their strong start has been George Peers. The forward’s previous best Cymru Premier goalscoring tally was three goals during the 2019/20 season. He has already smashed that figure this term, scoring seven times in his opening 10 appearances.

His latest contribution was particularly eye-catching, with Peers scoring a hat-trick in Airbus’ 4-1 victory over Flint Town United.

Like Llandudno, Airbus have retained much of their existing squad while adding experience and youth. Brandon Diau has brought further Cymru Premier experience, while former Rhyl forward and Manchester City youngster Oli Calland is among the younger players looking to make their mark.

For all three clubs, continuity appears to have played a major role. Rather than completely rebuilding after promotion, they have retained key players, supplemented those squads with experience and, in Cambrian’s case, trusted players who have taken the step up for the first time.

There is still a long way to go, but their early performances suggest the promoted sides are capable of competing at this level.

The gap at the top is far from straightforward

While the early relegation battle has provided plenty of intrigue, the competition at the top of the table has been just as interesting.

The New Saints and Penybont remain unbeaten after 10 matches, with TNS winning nine and drawing one, while Penybont have recorded seven victories and three draws.

TNS have combined their usual attacking threat with defensive reinforcements, including the addition of former Chelsea and Southampton defender Dynel Simeu, who has already featured heavily. They have also strengthened their midfield with the signing of former Connah’s Quay Nomads star Rhys Hughes.

Hughes had established himself as one of the standout players in the Cymru Premier during the previous two seasons and has continued that form since moving to Park Hall, already scoring six goals.

But TNS and Penybont are not the only sides making an impression. Caernarfon Town have been one of the division’s most entertaining teams going forward, scoring 33 goals in their opening 10 matches.

Zack Clarke is enjoying a particularly productive campaign, already reaching double figures with 10 goals.

Barry Town United also briefly sat at the top of the table after six matchdays, with summer additions Owen Brain and Elliot Dugan helping strengthen their attacking options.

There has been an encouraging improvement from Connah’s Quay Nomads. Despite losing star midfielder Rhys Hughes to TNS, the Nomads are seven points better off than they were at the same stage last season.

The early standings therefore suggest there may be a genuine battle for positions throughout the table, rather than a season dominated by a small group at the top and a predictable fight at the bottom.

The Cymru Premier is attracting more proven talent

Perhaps one of the most noticeable features of the opening 10 games has been the quality and experience of players arriving in the division.

Penybont have added several players with Football League experience, including Jonathan Leko, Tyler Walker and Liam Shephard.

Leko has previously played in the Premier League, while Walker and Shephard have extensive experience in the English professional game.

Ryan Hill has also made the move to Penybont after regularly featuring in the National League, while Tom Mehew has made an impact with five goals and two assists who had arrived from the National League South.

TNS have similarly looked from the division to strengthen their squad, bringing in Hughes from Connah’s Quay and Caernarfon Forward Brad Young while also bringing in Dynel Simeu. The Defender has Football League experience while also being within the academies of Chelsea and Southampton.

There have been further examples elsewhere. Former Newport County, Morecambe and Cardiff City midfielder Aaron Wildig has brought considerable EFL experience to the division to sign with Cardiff Met, while Caernarfon added former Exeter City and Newport County forward Offrande Zanzala.

The influx of players with experience of the English professional game is another sign of the changing landscape of the Cymru Premier.

After just 10 games, there are already clear storylines developing at both ends of the table. The promoted sides are beginning to separate themselves into two groups; the title race is taking shape, and established clubs are showing signs of improvement.

With 20 games still to play before phase one is complete, there is plenty of time for the picture to change again.